Apparatus and methods for authenticating a user of an entertainment device using a mobile communication device

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for remotely controlling an entertainment device using a mobile communication device. A user utilizes a mobile communication device to input information that requests manipulation of playback of content outputted for presentation by an entertainment device. The mobile communication device transmits the user input to the entertainment device and furthers transmits identifying data regarding the user. Responsive to receiving the user input and the identifying data, the mobile communication device authenticates the user and outputs the content for presentation to a user based on the user input.

BACKGROUND

The average home presently includes a variety of entertainment devices,each remotely operated by a separate remote control. Therefore, a useroften needs to keep track of multiple remote controls while experiencingaudio and/or video content. This has been a problem for many users, andmodern video viewing systems have become so complex that many userscannot navigate the controls of entertainment devices without theassistance of the associated remote controls. However, because remotecontrols are easily misplaced, it becomes difficult for users tonavigate their video viewing systems without the assistance of advancednavigation tools provided by remote controls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same number represents the same element or same type of element inall drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a communication system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a communication system.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile communication device ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a mobile communication deviceof FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a mobile communicationdevice of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a process for outputtingpresentation content by an entertainment device.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a process for outputting lockedpresentation content by an entertainment device.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a process for populating a socialnetworking profile of a user based on viewing data.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a process for collectingdemographic information regarding video programming.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus,systems and methods which facilitate the reception, processing,outputting and communication of content from one or more sources, viaone or more communication mediums (or networks), to one or morecommunication devices for presentation to one or more end-users. Moreparticularly, the various embodiments described herein generally provideapparatus, systems and methods which facilitate controlling thepresentation of content by entertainment devices using a mobilecommunication device. In short, the various embodiments describedprovide apparatus, systems and/or methods in which a mobilecommunication device is utilized to remotely control an entertainmentdevice.

In at least one embodiment, the content to be received, processed,outputted and/or communicated may come in any of various formsincluding, but not limited to, audio, video, data, information, orotherwise. Likewise, the entertainment device to be controlled maycomprise any device capable of presenting audio, video and/oraudio/video (A/V) content. It is to be appreciated that content may beprovided from any source, such as an over-the-air broadcast, a satelliteor cable television distribution system, a digital video disk (DVD) orother optical disk, the internet or other communication networks and thelike.

A user utilizes a mobile communication device (e.g., a mobile telephone,personal digital assistant (PDA) and the like) to wirelessly control theoutput and presentation of content by the entertainment device. In otherwords, the mobile communication device operates as a remote control forthe entertainment device. The user inputs commands into the mobilecommunication device and the commands are transmitted to theentertainment device. The entertainment device responsively processesthe commands and manipulates the output of presentation contentaccordingly. In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication devicetransmits identifying data regarding the user to the entertainmentdevice which is used to authenticate the user on the entertainmentdevice or other devices communicatively coupled to the entertainmentdevice. Thus, the user is not repeatedly required to manually enteridentifying information, such as a personal-identification number (PIN),username/password, access code and the like in order to access contentpresented by the entertainment device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment system 100. Theentertainment system 100 presents content to a user 108. In at least oneembodiment, the content presented to the user 108 includes a videostream, such as a television program, movie or other recorded contentand the like. The entertainment system 100 includes an entertainmentdevice 102, a content source 104 and a mobile communication device 106.Each of these components is discussed in greater detail below. Theentertainment system 100 may include other devices, components orelements not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The entertainment device 102 is operable to receive content from one ormore content source(s) 104, and to present the received content to theuser 108. In at least one embodiment, the entertainment device 102 is adisplay device configured to display content to the user 108. Theentertainment device 102 may receive a video stream in any format (e.g.,analog or digital format), and present the video stream to the user 108.The entertainment device 102 may be further configured to display menusand other information that allow a user 108 to control the presentationof content by the entertainment device 102. In other embodiments, theentertainment device 102 is a set-top box (e.g., a satellite or cabletelevision converter box), digital video recorder (DVR) or other similardevice that processes and provides one or more audio and/or video outputstreams to a display device for presentation to the user 108. It is tobe appreciated that the entertainment device 102 may also be embodied asan apparatus combining the functionality of a display device and aset-top box, digital video recorder (DVR) and the like. In otherembodiments, the entertainment device 102 may be operable to presentother types of presentation content to the user 108, such as audiocontent, images, games and other data.

The content source 104 may comprise any system or apparatus configuredto provide presentation data, such as a video stream, to theentertainment device 102. The content source 104 may be external orinternal to the entertainment device 102. The entertainment device 102and the content source 104 may be communicatively coupled through anytype of wired or wireless connection, communication network and thelike. Exemplary content sources include television distribution systems(e.g., over-the-air distribution systems, cable television distributionsystems, satellite television distribution systems and broadbanddistribution systems), DVD players and other optical disk players,digital storage mediums (e.g., DVRs) and the internet.

The mobile communication device 106 may comprise any system or apparatusconfigured to provide communication services to the user 108. Thecommunication services provided by the mobile communication device 106may comprise voice, data and/or video services. The mobile communicationdevice 106 may communicate using any type of communication medium orprotocol. For example, the mobile communication device 106 maywirelessly communicate with a communication network (not shown inFIG. 1) over a radio frequency (RF) communication link. In at least oneembodiment, the mobile communication device 106 is a wireless telephonethat communicates over a cellular network.

The mobile communication device 106 is further configured to wirelesslycommunicate with the entertainment device 102. The mobile communicationdevice 106 and the entertainment device 102 may communicate over anytype of wireless communication link, such as an RF or infrared (IR)communication link. More particularly, the mobile communication device106 receives user input requesting to control the presentation ofcontent by the entertainment device, and transmits the user input to theentertainment device 102 for processing. Responsive to receiving theuser input and/or other information from the mobile communication device106, the entertainment device 102 modifies the presentation of thecontent by the entertainment device 102.

In at least one embodiment, the presentation content presented by theentertainment device 102 is locked and only accessible to the user 108upon authentication. For example, specified channels of a televisionbroadcast service may only be accessible by a parent or other designatedusers. Thus, the entertainment device 102 only presents the “locked” or“restricted” content upon determining that an authorized user isrequesting the content.

The entertainment device 102 authenticates a user based on informationprovided by the mobile communication device 106. In at least oneembodiment, the mobile communication device 106 transmits identifyingdata regarding a user to the entertainment device 102 with every commandtransmitted to the entertainment device 102. In other embodiments, themobile communication device 106 transmits the identifying data to theentertainment device 102 upon transmission of only specified commands.For example, the mobile communication device 106 may transmit theidentifying data with commands that request to change the contentpresented by the entertainment device 102 such a power-on commands,channel change commands, commands selecting to view recorded videos andcommands to purchase content. Thus, the mobile communication device 106may not transmit the identifying data to the entertainment device 102with commands that do not change the content presented by theentertainment device 102, such as mute or volume change commands, trickplay mode commands, power-off commands and the like. In at least oneembodiment, the mobile communication device 106 transmits theidentifying data to the entertainment device 102 responsive to a query.In other words, the entertainment device 102 determines when theidentifying data is needed to authenticate the user responsive to acommand, and queries the mobile communication device 106 for theidentifying data automatically without user intervention.

The entertainment device 102 may be remotely controlled by multipleusers each utilizing their own mobile communication device 106. Byreceiving identifying data from the mobile communication device 106, theentertainment device 102 becomes aware of which individual is actuallywatching the content. The entertainment device 102 can thus implementvarious functions which typically require identifying a user 108,without requiring the user 108 to repeatedly manually provideidentifying information.

As discussed above, the entertainment device 102 may control access tocertain types of content depending on which user 108 utilizes theirpersonal mobile communication device 106 to input a command to theentertainment device 102. Thus, parents may lock specific channels,specific types of pay-per-view (PPV) or video-on-demand (VOD) content,recorded or stored content which can only be accessed using the parent'smobile communication device 106. For example, when a child utilizestheir own mobile communication device 106 to access the content of theentertainment device 102, they will be restricted from accessing thelocked content because the entertainment device 102 will notauthenticate the child based on the identifying data provided by themobile communication device 106.

In at least one embodiment, user accounts with usage timers may beprovided on the entertainment device 102 that are accessed based on theidentifying data provided by the mobile communication device 106. Forexample, the user 108 (e.g., a child) may be restricted to experiencing1 hour of content per day, 12 hours per week or 60 hours per month.Thus, as the user 108 experiences content, their associated time budgetis decremented based on the time spent experiencing the content. Whenthe user 108 powers on the entertainment device 102 with a command fromthe mobile communication device 106, the entertainment device 102authenticates the user 108 based on the identifying data provided by themobile communication device 106 and begins decrementing the time budgetfor the user 108. If the user 108 exceeds the time budget for thespecified time period, then the entertainment device 102 restrictsfurther access to content. For example, the entertainment device 102 maypower-off or cease the output of the presentation content to the user108.

The identifying data provided to the entertainment device 102 by themobile communication device 106 may also be utilized in communicationsbetween the entertainment device 102 and a remote server or device. FIG.2 illustrates an embodiment of a communication system 200. Thecommunication system 200 is configured to present content to the user108. The content communication system 200 includes an entertainmentdevice 102, a content source 104, a mobile communication device 106, atransmission network 202 and an application server 204. Each of thesecomponents is discussed in greater detail below. The description ofcomponents common to FIG. 1 is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.Further, the communication system 200 may include other components,devices or elements not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The entertainment device 102 is configured to communicate with anapplication server 204 through the transmission network 202. In at leastone embodiment, the entertainment device 102 and the application server204 communicate over an internet connection or other type of local areanetwork (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Exemplary data transmittedfrom the entertainment device 102 to the application server 204 includesPPV ordering information, error and diagnostic reports regarding theentertainment device, interactive television information (e.g., userresponses to on-screen prompts), demographic information, audio andvideo chat data, survey data and user generated content. In at least oneembodiment, the application server 204 may also transmit data to themobile communication device 106 through the entertainment device 102.For example, the application server 204 may provide the entertainmentdevice 102 with buddy lists, social networking profiles, programmingguides, video programming and the like which are further transmitted tothe mobile communication device 106 and presented to the user on themobile communication device 106.

Application server 204 is operable for receiving, generating andcommunicating content by and between entertainment device 102 and othersystems and devices. In at least one embodiment, the application server204 is operable for receiving authentication requests, health anddiagnostic reports, PPV ordering information, demographic information,social networking profile updates and the like from the entertainmentdevice 102 and further processing the received data according to desireddesign criteria. For example, an authentication request may be receivedfrom the entertainment device 102 requesting access for a user to lockedpresentation content, such as a PPV movie. PPV ordering informationreceived from the entertainment device 102, whether as part of anauthentication request or part of aggregated information from a set-topbox, may be utilized for generating a bill for the user 108. Health anddiagnostic information may be used to identify problems with theentertainment device 102, either individually or across an entireproduct line. In at least one embodiment, the application server 204 maytransmit firmware or software updates to the entertainment device 102responsive to processing the health and diagnostic information.

In at least one embodiment, the application server 204 is operable forreceiving demographic information from the entertainment device 102through the mobile communication device 106. The generation of thedemographic information is described in further detail below. In someembodiments, the application server 204 receives and processes datareceived from the entertainment device 102, and responsively populatesand/or updates buddy lists, social networking profiles and the likerelated to the user 108.

In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication device 106 may actas a backchannel for data transmitted from the entertainment device 102to the application server 204. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of acommunication system 300. The communication system 300 is configured topresent content to the user 108. The communication system 300 includesan entertainment device 102, a content source 104, a mobilecommunication device 106, a wireless network 302 and an applicationserver 204. Each of these components is discussed in greater detailbelow. The description of components common to FIGS. 1-2 is omittedherein for the sake of brevity. Further, the communication system 300may include other components, devices or elements not illustrated forthe sake of brevity.

The mobile communication device 106 is configured to wirelesslycommunicate with an application server 204 through the wireless network302. In at least one embodiment, the mobile communication device 106receives data from the entertainment device 102, and transmits the datato the application server 204 through the wireless network 302. Theentertainment device 102 may provide the mobile communication device 106with any type of data for transmission to the application server 204.Exemplary data transmitted from the entertainment device 102 to theapplication server 204 includes PPV ordering information, error anddiagnostic reports regarding the entertainment device, interactivetelevision information (e.g., user responses to on-screen prompts),demographic information, authentication requests, audio and video chatdata, survey data and user generated content. In at least oneembodiment, the application server 204 may also transmit data to theentertainment device 102 through the mobile communication device 106.For example, the application server 204 may provide the entertainmentdevice 102 with buddy lists, social networking profiles, programmingguides, video programming, updated firmware and the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile communication device 106Aof FIG. 2. FIG. 4 will be discussed in reference to the communicationsystem 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. The mobile communication device 106A.Includes an input device 402, a storage medium 404, a processor 406 anda transceiver 408. Each of these components is discussed in greaterdetail below. The mobile communication device 106A may include othercomponents, devices or elements not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The input device 402 is operable for receiving user input 410 from theuser 108 (see FIG. 2). In at least one embodiment, the input device 402is a keypad typically found on wireless telephones. A user may utilizethe keypad to input channel numbers, control the volume of theentertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2), navigate menus and/or controlother functions of entertainment device 102. For example, the user input410 may request playback of locked presentation content available foroutput by the entertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2). In at least oneembodiment, the input device 402 comprises a touch screen that displaysa virtual remote control. In other words, the input device 402 displayson screen an image of a remote control utilized to remotely operate theentertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2). The details of the virtual remotecontrol will be discussed in greater detail below.

The storage medium 404 stores identifying data regarding the user 108(see FIG. 2) of the mobile communication device 106A. The storage medium404 may comprise any type of non-volatile storage medium, such asinternal or removable flash memory and other types of memory cards.Exemplary identifying data regarding the user 108 (see FIG. 2) includesa personal identification number, username and/or password, access codeor phone number. It will be appreciated that any type ofidentifying-data may be utilized by the entertainment device 102 (seeFIG. 2) to authenticate the user 108.

The processor 406 is operable for generating commands that arecompatible with the entertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2). The processor406 receives the user input 410 from the input device 402 and translatesthe user input 410 and/or the identifying data into the command 412. Theidentifying data may be included in the command 412 or may be providedto the entertainment device 102 separately responsive to a query.

In at least one embodiment, the processor 406 customizes the appearanceof a virtual remote control displayed on the input device 402. Forexample, the buttons of the virtual remote control displayed by a touchscreen of the input device 402 may be customized based on a particularmenu displayed on screen by the entertainment device 102. In someembodiments, the processor 406 controls the transmission of data fromthe entertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2) to the application server 204.

The transceiver 408 is operable for wirelessly transmitting data, suchas the command 412, to the entertainment device 102. The transceiver 408is also operable for receiving the data 414 from the entertainmentdevice 102 and further transmitting the data 414 to other devices, suchas the application server 204. While the transceiver 408 is described ashaving bidirectional transmission capability, it is to be appreciatedthat mobile communication device 106A may alternatively include awireless transmitter providing transmission only capability. Thetransceiver 408 may operate using any type of IR or RF communicationlink, including WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular communication and the like. Inat least one embodiment, the transceiver 408 is operable fortransmitting data across multiple types of communication links. Forexample, the transceiver 408 may receive the data 414 from theentertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2) over a WiFi link, and may reformatthe data 414 for transmission to the application server 204 over thewireless network 402. In some embodiments, the mobile communicationdevice 106A may include multiple transceivers, transmitters and/orreceivers capable of handling reception and/or transmission acrossmultiple types of communication links.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the variousfunctional elements 402 through 408 shown as operable within the mobilecommunication device 106A may be combined into fewer discrete elementsor may be broken up into a larger number of discrete functional elementsas a matter of design choice. Thus, the particular functionaldecomposition suggested by FIG. 4 is intended merely as exemplary of onepossible functional decomposition of elements within the mobilecommunication device 106A.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a mobile communication device106B of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 will be discussed in reference to thecommunication system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. The mobile communicationdevice 106B includes an input device 402, a motion detector 510, astorage medium 404, a processor 506 and a transceiver 408. Each of thesecomponents is discussed in greater detail below. The description ofcomponents common to mobile communication device 106A of FIG. 4 isomitted herein for the sake of brevity. The mobile communication device106B may include other components, devices or elements not illustratedfor the sake of brevity.

The motion detector 510 is operable for determining positionalinformation regarding the mobile communication device 106B. Thepositional information is utilized to generate commands for theentertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2). Exemplary motion detector devicesinclude mechanical switches, gyroscopes and accelerometers. Motiondetectors may be utilized that detect motion, vibration or accelerationamong any number of axis. For example, a three element accelerometer maybe utilized for detecting accelerations along an x, y and z axis.

In at least one embodiment, the entertainment device 102 may include asensor bar that emanates multiple light sources. For example, the sensorbar may be mounted in a stationary position near the entertainmentdevice 102 (see FIG. 2). The motion detector 510 is operable to detectand measure the intensity and size of the light sources. Responsive tomeasuring the intensity and size of the light sources, the motiondetector 510 performs mathematical operations to determine thecoordinates (e.g., positional information) of the mobile communicationdevice 106B. The positional information, including coordinates of themobile communication device 106B and/or the direction of movement may beutilized to determine the coordinates of a cursor outputted forpresentation by the entertainment device 102.

The processor 506 is operable for generating commands that arecompatible with the entertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2). The processor506 receives the user input 410 from the input device 402 and thepositional information from the motion detector 510 and translates theuser input 410, the positional information and/or the identifying datafrom the storage medium 404 into the command 512. The transceiver 408transmits the command 512 to the entertainment device 102.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the variousfunctional elements 402 through 406 and 506 through 510 shown asoperable within the mobile communication device 106B may be combinedinto fewer discrete elements or may be broken up into a larger number ofdiscrete functional elements as a matter of design choice. Thus, theparticular functional decomposition suggested by FIG. 5 is intendedmerely as exemplary of one possible functional decomposition of elementswithin the mobile communication device 106B.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a mobile communicationdevice 106C of FIG. 2. More particularly, FIG. 6 illustrates anembodiment of a virtual remote control 602 displayed on a touch screenof an input device 402A. The virtual remote control 602 is operable foremulating the remote control for the entertainment device 102 (see FIG.2). As illustrated in FIG. 6, the virtual remote control 602 displaysfrequently used buttons/functions of a television receiver with anintegrated DVR. Thus, a user can control the channels, volume orplayback of video content outputted by the entertainment device 102. Itis to be appreciated that the functions/button is presented by thevirtual remote control 602 may vary depending on the functionality ofthe entertainment device 102 to be controlled.

In at least one embodiment, the virtual remote control 602 is downloadedby the mobile communication device 106C from the entertainment device102 (see FIG. 2). For example, the mobile communication device 106C maydownload the virtual remote control 602 during a set-up process of themobile communication device 106C. In other embodiments, theentertainment device 102 may transmit and updated virtual remote control602 depending on a particular menu displayed by the entertainment device102, or a particular functionality presently enabled on theentertainment device 102. For example, if the user 108 is presentlyviewing an electronic programming guide (EPG) on the entertainmentdevice 102, then the virtual remote control 602 may be customized toemulate the EPG, allowing the user to touch a particular region of theinput device 402 to select a program to watch. In other embodiments, thefunctions/buttons displayed by the virtual remote control 602 may varydepending on whether the user 108 is utilizing the television receiveror the DVR functionality of the entertainment device 102. For example,the mobile communication device 106C may store multiple virtual remotecontrol 602 layouts and receive menu information from the entertainmentdevice 102 (see FIG. 2) indicating the particular menu presentlyoutputted for display. Responsive to receiving the menu information, themobile communication device 106C selects and presents the appropriatevirtual remote control 602 layout to the user 108.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of an entertainment device 102A of FIG.2. More particularly, FIG. 7 illustrates an entertainment device 102Aembodied as a television receiver (e.g., a set-top box). However, it isto be appreciated that the entertainment device 102 may comprise anytype of device that presents any type of presentation content. Theentertainment device 102A includes an input module 702, an interfacemodule 704 and a processor 706. Each of these components is discussed ingreater detail below. The entertainment device 102A may include othercomponents, devices or elements not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The input module 702 is operable for receiving presentation content,e.g., television programming 708. The input module 702 may be operablefor receiving and tuning any type of television programming 708. Forexample, the input module 702 may receive an over-the-air distributionbroadcast, a direct broadcast satellite signal or a cable televisionsignal. In at least one embodiment, the input module 702 may receive orretrieve content from a storage medium, such as an optical disk,internal or external hard drives, portable storage devices (e.g.,universal serial bus (USB) memory sticks) and the like. The input module702 may also receive content from external servers, such as videoservers, that are communicatively coupled over the internet or othertypes of data networks. In at least one embodiment, the televisionprogramming 708 may be locked and thus accessible upon properauthentication of the user 108 (see FIG. 2).

The interface module 704 is operable to wirelessly receive and/ortransmit data to the mobile communication device 106 (see FIG. 2). Theinterface module 704 may communicate with the mobile communicationdevice 106A utilizing any type of IR or RF communication link. In atleast one embodiment, the interface module 704 receives the command 412from the mobile communication device 106, and responsively provides thecommand 412 to the processor 706. The interface module 704 may receiveidentifying data regarding the user 108 (see FIG. 2) from the mobilecommunication device 106 as part of the command 412 or as a separatedata transmission (e.g., responsive to a query). In some embodiments,the interface module 704 receives the data 414 and responsivelytransmits the data 414 to the mobile communication device 106 fortransmission to the application server 204.

The processor 706 is operable for controlling the operation of theentertainment device 102 (see FIG. 2). In at least one embodiment, theprocessor 706 receives the television programming 708 and responsivelygenerates an output signal 714 for presentation on a display device. Theprocessor 706 is further operable to receive the command 412 andmanipulate the playback of the television programming 708 responsive tothe command. In other words, the processor 706 operates responsive tothe command 412 to control the output signal 714. In at least oneembodiment, the output signal 714 may be generated responsive toauthenticating the user 108 based on the identifying data. In someembodiments, the identifying data may be used by the processor 706 toidentify the user 108 and perform other functions that generate datatransmitted to external sources.

For example, the processor 706 may be operable to generate data 414 thatis transmitted to the application server 204 (see FIG. 2) through themobile communication device 106. In at least one embodiment, theprocessor 706 generates demographic information based on the televisionprogramming 708, the command 412 and the identifying data regarding theuser 108. The demographic information is then transmitted to theapplication server 204. The processor 706 may also utilize the collectedinformation to update social networking profiles, buddy lists and otherinformation regarding the user 108.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the variousfunctional elements 702 through 706 shown as operable within theentertainment device 102A may be combined into fewer discrete elementsor may be broken up into a larger number of discrete functional elementsas a matter of design choice. Thus, the particular functionaldecomposition suggested by FIG. 7 is intended merely as exemplary of onepossible functional decomposition of elements within the mobilecommunication device 106A.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a process for outputtingpresentation content by an entertainment device. More particularly, FIG.8 illustrates a process for manipulating the playback of video contentby an entertainment device based on a command inputted by a user into amobile communication device. The operations of the process of FIG. 8 arenot all-inclusive, and may comprise other operations not illustrated forthe sake of brevity.

The process includes receiving user input, at the entertainment device,from a mobile communication device, the user input requesting output ofpresentation content by the entertainment device (operation 802). Theentertainment device receives the user input over a wirelesscommunication link, e.g., IR, Bluetooth or other types of RFcommunication links. In at least one embodiment, the user input mayrequest output by the entertainment device of presentation content whichis locked and only available upon authentication of the user. Forexample, the user input may request output of a specific channel ofcontent. The user input may also request manipulation of thepresentation content, e.g., pausing, fast-forwarding, reversing, volumechanges and the like.

The process further includes receiving identifying data, at theentertainment device, from the mobile communication device (operation804). The identifying data identifies a user of the mobile communicationdevice. The identifying data may be provided with the user inputtransmitted by the mobile communication device, or may be providedseparately, e.g., responsive to a query from the entertainment device.

The process further includes authenticating the user, at theentertainment device, based on the identifying data (operation 806). Inat least one embodiment, the entertainment device compares theidentifying data with locally stored information to authenticate theuser. In other embodiments, the entertainment device may query anexternal source to authenticate the user. If the user input requestsaccess to locked presentation content, then the entertainment deviceprovides access to the locked presentation content responsive toauthenticating the user. If the user is not authenticated, eitherbecause the identifying data provided is incorrect or they are notentitled access to the content, then the entertainment device maypresent some type of error message or other notification to the user.

The process further includes outputting the presentation content forpresentation on a presentation device, based on the user input,responsive to authenticating the user (operation 808). In at least oneembodiment, the entertainment device is integrated with the presentationdevice. For example, the entertainment device may be a television. Thus,outputting the presentation content includes passing the content to avideo controller that displays the content on screen. In otherembodiments, the entertainment device may be separate from theentertainment device, e.g., a set-top box. Thus, outputting the contentmay include outputting a video signal for transmission to a separatepresentation device.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a process for outputting lockedpresentation content by an entertainment device. The operations of theprocess of FIG. 9 are not all-inclusive, and may comprise otheroperations not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The process includes receiving user input, at the entertainment device,from a mobile communication device (operation 902). The user inputrequests presentation of locked presentation content available throughthe entertainment device. For example, the user input may requestpresentation of specific “locked” channels of a set-top box or mayrequest presentation of a PPV or VOD video.

The process further includes receiving identifying data, at theentertainment device, from the mobile communication device (operation904). The identifying data identifies a user of the mobile communicationdevice. In at least one embodiment, the user of the mobile communicationdevice is also a registered user of the entertainment device. Forexample, the user may have an account on the entertainment device. Inother embodiments, the user of the mobile communication device may notbe a registered user of the entertainment device. For example, the usermay be a guest or visitor in the home containing the entertainmentdevice.

The process further includes transmitting the identifying data to anapplication server (operation 906). The identifying data is transmittedto the application server for authentication of the user to access thelocked presentation content. The entertainment device may transmit theidentifying data to the application server through a communicativelycoupled data network or may transmit the identifying data to theapplication server through the mobile communication device. For example,the entertainment device may generate a request, based on the user inputand the identifying data, and transmit the request to the mobilecommunication device. The mobile communication device then transmits thedata over a wireless network to the application server. Likewise, themobile communication device receives data from the application server(e.g., a response to the authentication request) and transmits the datato the entertainment device for further processing.

The process further includes receiving, at the entertainment device,from the application server, authentication information allowing theuser to access the locked presentation content (operation 908). Asdescribed above, the entertainment device may communicate with theapplication server through a data network or may communicate with theapplication server via the mobile communication device. The applicationserver may perform other functions when transmitting the authenticationinformation to the entertainment device, such as billing the user forthe access to the locked presentation content.

Responsive to receiving the authentication information, theentertainment device outputs the locked content for presentation on apresentation device (operation 910). If the response from the serverindicates that the user should not be allowed access to the presentationcontent, then the entertainment device may provide such notification tothe user.

One advantage to the above described process is that a user of a mobilecommunication device may order PPV content at any location, regardlessof whether the user is associated with the account of the entertainmentdevice. For example, a Dish Network® subscriber may be visiting a friendand desire to watch a PPV video. The subscriber utilizes their mobilecommunication device to remotely control the entertainment device andorder the PPV video. The entertainment device transmits a request to anapplication server and the application server authenticates thesubscriber's request to order the video. The application server thentransmits an authentication response to the entertainment device thatindicates that the subscriber is entitled to access the video. Thesubscriber watches the movie and their account is billed for the PPVrather than the owner of the entertainment device. Thus, problems withguests ordering PPV videos are avoided because the guest is billeddirectly for the received content. Similarly, a guest could be billedfor the content on their telephone bill without actually having a DishNetwork® subscription. It will be appreciated that other techniques maybe utilized to bill a user for accessing content based on theidentifying data.

The identifying data may also be utilized to allow a user to makepurchases through a home shopping program. For example, a user may see aproduct that they desire to purchase and may utilize their mobilecommunication device to control the entertainment device and make apurchase of the product. The entertainment device may use theidentifying data to generate an order that is transmitted to theapplication server. Responsive to receiving the order, the applicationserver bills the user and completes the order of the product.

The identifying data may also be utilized to populate a socialnetworking profile of a user. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of aprocess for populating a social networking profile of a user based onviewing data. More particularly, FIG. 10 illustrates a process forpopulating a profile of the user when the user utilizes a mobilecommunication device to remotely operate an entertainment device. Theoperations of the process of FIG. 10 are not all-inclusive, and maycomprise other operations not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The process includes outputting content for presentation on a displaydevice (operation 1002). The content may be outputted based on userinput received from a mobile communication device. The process furtherincludes receiving user input from a mobile communication devicerequesting manipulation of playback of content presented by anentertainment device (operation 1004). The user input may request anykind of manipulation of the content, such as channel changes, volumechanges and pausing of live or recorded content.

The process further includes receiving data identifying a user from themobile communication device (operation 1006). The identifying data maybe any type of information that identifies the user individually or as amember of a group. For example, the data may identify the user as amember of a certain group or as having specific characteristics (e.g.,an 18-40 year male). The identifying data may be collected using avariety of techniques. For example, the identifying data may becollected based on account information of the user of the mobilecommunication device. The identifying data may also be collected basedon user responses to a survey or other questionnaire. In at least oneembodiment, the identifying data may include a username or accountnumber of the user on a social network. In some embodiments, theidentifying data may be transmitted with each command from the mobilecommunication device. The identifying data may be transmitted with thefirst command during a viewing session or periodically during theviewing session. The process further includes manipulating playback ofthe content based on the user input (operation 1008).

The process further includes populating a social networking profile ofthe user based on the user input (operation 1010). For example, if theentertainment device determines that a user changed the channel to watcha program, then a message may be displayed to members of the user'sbuddy lists that they are presently watching that particular program.Thus, the friends may then tune to that program as well, or may know notto disturb the user during the time period of that particular programbased on the message displayed in the buddy lists. The profile updatemessage function may be performed automatically by the entertainmentdevice, or may be performed responsive to input by the user. Forexample, the user may press a particular key of the mobile communicationdevice to initiate the profile update function on the entertainmentdevice.

In at least one embodiment, the entertainment device may communicatewith an application server through a data network communicativelycoupled to the entertainment device. For example, the entertainmentdevice may be connected to a broadband network, and may transmit data tothe application server through the broadband network. In otherembodiments, the entertainment device may communicate with theapplication server through the mobile communication device. In otherwords, the mobile communication device receives data from theentertainment device, and further transmits the data to the applicationserver through a wireless network.

In at least one embodiment, the entertainment device may tabulate theprograms that the user frequently watches over a period of time, andresponsively update the user's social networking profile based on thetabulated information. For example, the entertainment device mayidentify that a user watches every new episode of a particular program,and may responsively update the favorite shows section of the user'ssocial networking profile to reflect this information.

In at least one embodiment, the tabulated information may be transmittedfrom the entertainment device to the mobile communication device aftereach episode or viewing session for storage and further updating. Thus,if a user utilizes multiple entertainment devices to regularly viewvideo content, then the mobile communication device can provide thetabulation data to an entertainment device during each viewing sessionfor updating based on the programming viewed by the user. Thus, thetabulated information is aggregated based on viewing across multipleentertainment devices during different viewing sessions.

The data collected by the entertainment device may be utilized for otherpurposes, such as aggregating demographic information regardingtelevision programming. FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a processfor collecting demographic information regarding video programming. Theoperations of the process of FIG. 11 are not all-inclusive, and maycomprise other operations not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The process includes receiving user input requesting manipulation ofplayback of content on an entertainment device (operation 1102). In atleast one embodiment, the user input is received by a mobilecommunication device and transmitted to an entertainment device forprocessing. The process further includes receiving data that identifiesa user (operation 1104).

The process further includes generating demographic informationregarding the content based on the identifying data (operation 1106). Itis to be appreciated that the demographic information may include anytype of information regarding the user's viewing characteristics. Forexample, the demographic information may identify that a male betweenthe ages of 18-40 watched a particular program on a particular date. Thedemographic information may include further granularity, such that theuser watched the program until the commercial break, and then channelsurfed for 2 minutes before switching hack to the original program theywere watching.

The process further includes transmitting the demographic information toan application server (operation 1108). In at least one embodiment, theentertainment device may transmit the demographic information using adata network communicatively coupled to the entertainment device. Inother embodiments, the demographic information may be transmitted to theapplication-server through the mobile communication device. Thus, themobile communication device may operate as a backchannel for thedemographic information. The application server can then utilize thedemographic information to generate reports and other informationregarding the video programming.

In at least one embodiment, the demographic information may also beutilized locally to target advertisements to a user. The entertainmentdevice may determine the appropriate demographic group for the user, andmay insert a targeted advertisement within the video program. Theentertainment device may request appropriate ads from an applicationserver during the viewing session, or may store a bank of advertisementsand select the most appropriate advertisements for the user based on thedemographic information. Thus, the user is presented with anadvertisement that has the most likely appeal based on the user'sdemographic information.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of theinvention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of theinvention is defined by the following claims and any equivalentstherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for outputting locked presentationcontent by an entertainment device, the method comprising: receivinguser input, at the entertainment device, from a mobile communicationdevice, the user input requesting output of locked presentation contentby the entertainment device, the locked presentation content beingaccessible on a per-user basis; receiving identifying data, at theentertainment device, from the mobile communication device, theidentifying data regarding a user of the mobile communication device;authenticating the user, at the entertainment device, to access thelocked presentation content of the entertainment device, based on theidentifying data; and outputting the locked presentation content forpresentation on a presentation device, based on the user input,responsive to authenticating the user.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe locked presentation content comprises an on-demand video that isstreamed to the entertainment device.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinthe locked presentation content comprises a video stored on theentertainment device.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:populating a social networking profile of the user based on the userinput and the identifying data.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: generating demographic information, regarding the lockedpresentation content, responsive to authenticating the user.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein authenticating the user further comprises:generating a request, at the entertainment device, based on the userinput and the identifying data; transmitting the request, from theentertainment device, to the mobile communication device; andtransmitting the request, from the mobile communication device, to anapplication server.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:billing the user, for the access to the locked presentation content,based on the identifying data.
 8. A method for outputting lockedpresentation content by an entertainment device, the method comprising:receiving user input, at the entertainment device, from a mobilecommunication device, the user input requesting presentation of lockedpresentation content available through entertainment device, the lockedpresentation content being accessible on a per-user basis; receivingidentifying data, at the entertainment device, from the mobilecommunication device, the identifying data regarding a user of themobile communication device; transmitting the identifying data to anapplication server; receiving, at the entertainment device, from theapplication server, authentication information allowing the user toaccess the locked presentation content; and outputting the lockedpresentation content, from the entertainment device, for presentation ona presentation device, responsive to the entertainment device receivingthe authentication information.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein thelocked presentation content comprises an on-demand video that isstreamed to the entertainment device.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinthe locked presentation content comprises a video stored on theentertainment device.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the lockedpresentation content comprises audio content stored on the entertainmentdevice.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the identifyingdata to the application server further comprises: generating a request,at the entertainment device, based on the user input and the identifyingdata; transmitting the request, from the entertainment device, to themobile communication device; and transmitting the request, from themobile communication device, to the application server.
 13. The methodof claim 8, further comprising: billing the user, for the access to thelocked presentation content, based on the identifying data.
 14. Anentertainment device comprising: an input module that receives lockedpresentation content from at least one content source, the lockedpresentation content being accessible on a per-user basis; an interfacemodule that wirelessly communicates with a mobile communication deviceto receive user input and identifying data, the user input requestingaccess to the locked presentation content and the identifying dataregarding a user of the mobile communication device; a processorcommunicatively coupled to the input module and the interface modulethat authenticates the user based on the identifying data and thatfurther outputs the locked presentation content for presentation on apresentation device, based on the user input, responsive toauthenticating the user.
 15. The entertainment device of claim 14,wherein the locked presentation content comprises an on-demand videothat is streamed to the entertainment device.
 16. The entertainmentdevice of claim 14, wherein the locked presentation content comprises avideo stored on the entertainment device.
 17. The entertainment deviceof claim 14, wherein the interface module further receives a command,from the mobile communication device, the command instructing theprocessor to manipulate the output of the locked presentation content.18. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein the processortransmits a request to an application server, the request includinginformation utilized by the application server to populate a socialnetworking profile of the user, based on the user input and theidentifying data.
 19. The entertainment device of claim 14, wherein theprocessor generates demographic information, regarding the lockedpresentation content, based on the user input, responsive toauthenticating the user.
 20. A mobile communication device comprising:an input device that receives user input requesting playback of lockedpresentation content available for output by an entertainment device,the locked presentation content being accessible on a per-user basis; astorage medium that stores identifying data regarding a user of themobile communication device; a processor communicatively coupled to theinput device and communicatively coupled to the storage medium thattranslates the user input and the identifying data into a commandcompatible with the entertainment device; and a wireless transmitterthat transmits the command to the entertainment device wherein theentertainment device utilizes the command to authenticate the user andoutput the locked presentation content for presentation on apresentation device.
 21. The mobile communication device of claim 20,further comprising: a wireless receiver that receives a request from theentertainment device requesting authentication for the user to accessthe locked presentation content; wherein the wireless transmittertransmits the request to an application server; wherein the wirelessreceiver receives an authentication response from the application serverresponsive to the request; and wherein the wireless transmittertransmits the authentication response to the entertainment device. 22.The mobile communication device of claim 20, further comprising: awireless receiver that receives a request from the entertainment device,the request including information utilized by an application server topopulate a social networking profile of the user based on the userinput; wherein the wireless transmitter transmits the request to theapplication server.
 23. The mobile communication device of claim 20,further comprising: a wireless receiver that receives demographicinformation from the entertainment device, the demographic informationgenerated by the entertainment device based on the command; wherein thewireless transmitter transmits the demographic information to theapplication server.